The View Point

Guest: Chad Schaefer, People Advisory Service leader at EY

How can impact entrepreneurship help drive sustainable and inclusive growth in South Africa’s rural communities? Whether by accelerating the creation of quality jobs, expanding affordable access to vital goods and services or advancing the economic participation of underrepresented groups, rural development projects (if done right) will create a ripple effect that can change millions of lives.

We’re in conversation with Chad Schaefer from EY South Africa and he will engage us about some of the development projects that EY is heading u in South Africa and how the impact of these projects will benefit generations to come.  

TakeOver Tuesday - How Can We Increase Youth Engagement And Voter Participation In The Upcoming National Elections’.

Guest: Sentle Nell, Academic Fellow at the European University Institute 

Having had extensive experience as one of the youngest black women in the renewable energy sector in South Africa, Ms. Nell is currently an Academic Fellow at the European University institute (EUI) and is the founder and Managing Director at Etsahale. Etsahale is a development consultancy that focuses on demystifying climate change in Africa. SENTLE NELL Her expertise relates to strategic management of internal and external stakeholders in the host communities where Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) operate in, this provided her with a deep understanding of sustainable development complexities. She has oversight on the IFC performance standards, Equator principals, ESG global practices and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She participates in various energy industry associations and has extensive knowledge of the Economic Development obligations, as set out by the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) under the ambit of the Dept. of Minerals & Energy of South Africa. She completed her master’s in science (MSc) at the University of Sussex, focusing on climate change strategies on the African continent.

Her undergraduate degree was in International Relations and Politics from the University of the Witwatersrand, she completed her Management Advancement Program from Wits Business School, which included a course at Pearson College in London, UK. As a seasoned development practitioner, speaker, and facilitator, she aligns policy dialogue among intergovernmental bodies, humanitarian, and development agendas. In 2021, she was selected as a Chevening Scholar. She was appointed as one of the McKinsey Next Generation Women Leaders for 2020 and in 2021 was appointed as a fellow in the Apolitical Academy forming part of the South African cohort. She presented at the European Parliament in 2023 on “EU-Africa Decarbonisation Strategy - State of play” and highlighted the importance of equitable funding for the continent. Her passion lies in empowering and supporting rural and isolated communities in mitigating towards Climate Change. She believes this synergy is possible with private sector and governmental support having viable discussions and viable projects for effective change.

TakeOver Guests

Guest: Dimpho Lekgeu, Youth Advisory Panel Member - Royal Danish Embassy in South Africa

Guest:Themba Patrick Mopedi, Founder of Community Change Makers 

Interview

Khoi dictionary - Ensuring that Indigenous Languages Do Not Die.

Guest: Mr Julius Dantile, Executive Head of Languages

Guest:Dr. Katlego Lekalakala , Member at the KeReady

February is not just about hearts and flowers; it's Sexual Reproductive Health Month too! Gauteng Health dropped some stats - 40% of men visiting at health facilities presented with an STI.  In October 2023, Western Cape data showed that contraception use is taking a dip in their provinces. Ke ready is all about empowering young people to make smart moves about their bodies and relationships, plus using protection.

• In 2024, why are we still talking high numbers of STI infections

Guest: Dr Layckan van Gensen, Cape Town-based legal expert - Recently obtained her doctorate in Mercantile Law at Stellenbosch University (SU)

If your image (physical image, voice, signature, likeness, etc.) has been used without your consent for commercial purposes, especially in the absence of a contract, proving your case in court would be difficult because South African law does not recognise the existence of a distinct image right.

Because of legal uncertainty, many image rights infringement matters are settled between the parties before reaching the courts. Consequently, our courts do not get the opportunity to develop the common law as required to address these types of infringements.

• South African law doesn’t recognise existence of distinct image right.
• Image rights infringement cases settled out of court due to legal uncertainty.
• An individual’s image has significant commercial value.
• Proposed draft legislation a legal remedy for financial losses.
• Soundbites and photo attached

Guest: MEC Thabo Meeko, Free State MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA in short)

In his 2023 State of the Province Address, Premier Hon. Mxolosi Dukwana made a commitment that the province will host the second instalment of the Free State Investment Conference as part of the government's efforts to grow the economy by harnessing investments. This year's conference will be held on 27 February 2024 at the Centenary Complex at the University of the Free State.

This conference is hosted against the background where the latest statistics indicate that the Free State official unemployment rate increased to 38.5% in

the third quarter of 2023; from 33.8% in the third quarter of 2022. In the third quarter of 2023 there were 727 000 employed people; 3000 jobs were lost in the same quarter. Annually, when quarter three of 2022 and quarter three of 2023 are compared, the province lost 70000 jobs. The high unemployment rate is largely due to contraction of key economic sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and construction.

The Free State Provincial Government is thus excited to host this significant event, which will build up on the resolutions of the inaugural Investment Conference, which took place in October 2019. The conference will offer an interactive programme that will see government, business, academics, entrepreneurs; local and international investors, experts and other role players discuss the Free State investment opportunities, explore the emerging economic trends and find solutions to investment challenges.

The investment conference will seek to promote the province as an investment destination of choice and highlight strategic investment opportunities across various sectors. The focus areas are: energy; mining and gas extraction; infrastructure; transport and logistics, as well as tourism.

This instalment of the Free State Investment Conference will be held under the theme: 'Harnessing Partnerships and Stimulating Growth and Development

Through Investments.

1. What are the purpose and objectives behind hosting this investment conference?

1. What are the focus areas of your investment conference?

1. We are aware through your departmental social media platforms and media statements that last year, you went to Singapore and China. Is this investment conference emanated from those engagements?

1. Free State is in the center of South Africa; it shares borders with six provinces and a country called Lesotho. Therefore, what are the investment opportunities in your province?

1. The attraction and retention of investment as articulated by the president is key to growing the economy. Therefore, how is the investment conference going to benefit the people of the Free State, especially SMMEs?

1. To an investor or potential funder listening and not part of the invited guests, what confidence do you share to show how Free State is committed to attracting investors?

1. You like articulating more on value chain beneficiation. How that is approach critical to the growing of township economy?

1. Are there any invited investors outside SA?

Lastly, what happened with the program that u initiated upon arrival where you were meeting/engaging different municipalities to unlock the economic opportunities?

Guest: Moeletsi Mbeki, South African political economist

The ANC has been in government ever since the end of the apartheid system of racial segregation in 1994, but its reputation as South Africa’s liberator has been eroded and its support has gradually declined. The ANC has had thirty years to demonstrate its capabilities. There is no doubting that a promising beginning was made, but the national government has been accountable for nearly everything that is dysfunctional, but it continues to attempt to centralise authority over an increasing number of things while providing very little of the "better life for all" that it has promised.

Moeletsi

• Why do you say there is no such a thing as the sixth administration?
• How do you imagine a system where the President is voted for by the people and not party members?
• Can a party president who subsequently becomes state president, not be critiqued as a leader and how he/she lead in his/her tenure

Guest: Matshidiso Lencoasa, Feminist Economics Lead For Budget Justice Coalition

Fiscal policy, gender responsive budgeting, human rights budgeting (education and health care), climate change financing]

Guest:Lukhona Mnguni, Acting Executive Director at the Rivonia Circle and Political Commentator

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his eighth State of the Nation address (Sona) on Thursday in the knowledge both that there is a risk — how big or small depends on which opinion survey one reads — it could be his last and that there was little he could promise or implement in the coming months to measurably improve his electoral prospects. 

We review the Presidents Administration after his first term and his last SONA

President Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in as President of the Republic of South Africa on Thursday 15 February 2018, following Jacob Zuma’s forced resignation by the ANC, pledging to root out the corruption that is blamed for undermining the economy of Africa’s most industrialised country.

KEY ISSUES:

• Corruption, Economy and employment, power supply, water and infrastructure – progress/regress
• Did his cabinets speak to his SONAs/strategy
• Foreign affairs policy / international relations
• Budgets, foreign investments and social grants
• His notion of nation building / the “it’s in your hands” slogan
• COVID-19 – the multifaceted challenges it brought

Guest: Thilivhali Livhadi,Gauteng Regional Mamag at Love

Guest: Dr Nazz Daniels, Member of South African Society of Psychiatrist